Weakness of anastomotic site in diabetic rats is caused by changes in the integrity of newly formed collagen.

Aims: Diabetes mellitus often causes anastomotic leakage leading to severe complications after surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether collagen synthesis is correlated with the anastomotic strength in diabetic animals in special reference to collagen type differences.

Methods: Thirty Lewis rats weighing approximately 250 g were made diabetic by tail vein injection of streptozotocin (STZ).